Man Looks For Closure After 20 Years Behind Bars For Wrongful Conviction
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – It's been eight years since Drew Whitley was released from prison, wrongfully convicted for the murder of 22-year-old Noreen Malloy outside the McDonald's restaurant in Duquesne.
DNA evidence that was not originally available is what was used to set Whitley free.
"They knew I wasn't the person that done that," he said. "How could you possible give a person life without parole and you know, you tell me. Can you explain that to me?"
Whitley's story is the subject of a new book, "Victim of the System." It will be released later this week.
Written by attorney Lawrence Fisher, the book looks at his arrest, incarceration and its aftermath.
"They knew I wasn't the guy," said Whitely.
"Drew is the quintessential victim of the system and what we're trying to do for him is bring about some closure," said Fisher. "We're asking officials to take a look at a cold case that has sat there for more than 25 years."
Closure has been elusive for Noreen Malloy's family too. Ever since her murder, they've been on a roller coaster of emotions.
"I said, all those years of hating a guy and it wasn't even him," said Malloy's brother Kevin said.
But closure means different things for two families torn apart by a murder so many years ago.
"For us, seeing who really did do it spend the rest of their lives behind bars," said Malloy, "that would be a little bit."
"For everybody that's involved in my case to do the 20 years that I've already done," Whitley added. "That would give me closure."
Whitley still has nightmares. He works part time, but lost a suit that would have compensated him for his wrongful conviction. The proceeds from the book will go directly to Whitely.
"Do I feel for him? Yeah, yeah I do," said Malloy.
Since Whitley's arrest from prison, no one has been arrested in the Malloy case. Although the book raises new questions about who might be responsible. The family says they will never have real justice until someone is behind bars.
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